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Recent catches of growing numbers of white and blue marlin, sailfish, red drum, golden tilefish, and black sea bass indicate these fisheries are all heating up along with the weather. Each bill fish and many of the red drum qualified for Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament release citation awards.
Inshore: While still early for the peak croaker, spot, and flounder runs, fishing for these inshore favorites has been good. To add to this list, anglers are also catching a few small sheepshead, sea bass, triggerfish and speckled trout. Many spot weigh a half pound with Rudee Inlet remaining a best bet for catch-and-release flounder action.
Spanish mackerel and Taylor bluefish continue to hit small silver and gold spoons trolled along the oceanfront, inlet mouths and in the rips at Cape Henry. Pier and surf anglers can also target macks and blues by rapidly reeling the same lures with a small in-line sinker ahead of the lure.
New leading fish: A 13-pound flounder and a 101-pound cobia have just taken their respective leads in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament!The cobia handily displaced a 92-pound, 6-ounce previous leading fish! Many boats have returned with double-digit catches of cobia Image may be NSFW.
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from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel grounds. Sheepshead remain a good bet from CBBT waters.
Red drum have been true to their skin color providing red hot catch-and-release action throughout the bay and providing a top-level fishery. Many of these drum are in the 49-inch class with some measuring up to 53 inches! This a fun way to warm up those angling muscles Image may be NSFW.
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and hone your skills prior to striper season.
Blue claw crab lovers are still enjoying one of the best crabbing seasons in recent memory. All area waters hold crabs with Lynnhaven Inlet distinguishing itself as the best caImage may be NSFW.
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tch destination.
Offshore: Tuna action has temporarily slowed, but a trip to Norfolk Canyon and surrounding waters offers an excellent chance for a billfish citation. White marlin are the most likely catch with blue marlin and sailfish always a distinct possibility. Moreover, it won’t be an unlikely surprise to hook a wahoo. Many boats, private and charter, are returning from these same trips with 20 to 30 dolphin. Amberjack remain plentiful at the Southern Tower.
Deep drop head boat enthusiasts are pleased to see lots of good-sized black sea bass and golden tilefish coming over the rails. Sea bass have averaged 2 to 4 pounds while the golden tiles have weighed between 8 and 18 pounds. One noteworthy catch from a head boat trip was a 55-pound snowy grouper. In addition to the fun, these trips are definitely freezer-filling fishing excursions.
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Special Surprise Visitor: A river otter has been “hanging out” along the Rudee Inlet seawall delightfully surprising visitors and fishermen with swimming, diving, and dining antics. This brown furry visitor was recently observed dining on fresh flounder. Without having to make a reservation, he certainly makes dining look easy!
Anyone wishing to see more river otters need only visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to see four entertaining year-round resident otters named Cash, Rudee, Pungo and Willoughby.
Captain’s Tip: Why I love to fish the Virginia Beach surf. Where else can you enjoy the water Image may be NSFW.
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rushing back to sea past your legs, listen to the crashing sound of surf, marvel at the beauty of pelicans and ospreys soaring overhead and dolphin frolicking just beyond your last cast? Let’s not forget that you also see navy ships and jets, protectors of our freedom, as the ships pass close by and the planes fly right overhead, all while anticipating that fierce tug on your line from one of our many celebrated local game fish!
So come join me and see why I love to live the fishing life in Virginia Beach.
Fish renderings courtesy of Duane Raver.